Meet the Shaneyfelts

A Little Life Lately…

Happy Summer, friends! While I know it’s not technically the first day of summer, there’s something about Memorial Day that feels like the start to summer. We’ve had a busy past month so I want to update y’all before kicking off the summer blogging season LOL!

Harrison wrapped up his first baseball season this month. We skipped signing him up for t-ball and this year put him in 6U baseball. He had a great time and Dustin probably had an even better time as the “Dugout Dad” ha! Harrison’s season went from the end of February to the end of May. I started his season waddling up to all the practices and ended it pushing two babies in my double stroller :).

I went back to work on May 13 and I really struggled with even going back to work in the first place because the week before, Merritt developed pneumonia and it was so scary. I hated having to leave her each day (even though she was in the best care with either my mom or Dustin). Then she caught rhinovirus on top of having pneumonia so it was reaaaaaally rough at home. Thankfully she’s doing so much better!

I celebrated Mother’s Day this year with my hands full and my heart grateful! I made a reel to celebrate my feelings for the day. I know I didn’t do a great job on Mother’s Day acknowledging the hurt some women feel on that day–I know, because I was there six years ago. So I want to acknowledge that now and encourage those of you who feel sadness on Mother’s Day (or any holiday) to remember that true joy only comes from Christ and our hope in Him. I’m on the other side now and I can affirm that it’s true–my joy is not in my children. I love them so much but they also let me down. They are human just like I am–none of us are perfect–only Christ.

Harrison also graduated from his preschool program that he’d been going to since he was 5 months old! He’s had a great 5 years there and it’s hard to believe he’s going to kindergarten in August!

He also looks like a little teenager here–I feel like I’m looking at his senior pictures!

Banks has been so sweet toward Merritt. It’s really surprised me how great of a big brother he is. If he hears her cry, he starts to yell, “Me Me!” He wants to help me burp her. He wants to try to shove her Paci (or even his) in her mouth. He just turned 14 months old when Merritt was born, so it really is like taking care of two babies–two in diapers, two in cribs. But I’ve been pleasantly surprised at how gentle he is with her and how much he loves her!

And now we’re all home for summer break! I am looking forward to getting on a better schedule/routine (my type 1 enneagram self really thrives in one). 🙂

Pottery Barn Look-Alike Curtains

When we had to replace our carpet in our bedroom after a water leak, I knew it was time for a bedroom refresh. We hadn’t done anything new to our bedroom since building our home back in 2015. I repainted our room, got all new bedding (that we are OBSESSED with!!), and wanted to replace the patterned curtains I had bought from Pottery Barn that wasn’t my aesthetic any longer.

While I loved the quality of the Pottery Barn curtains we had, I didn’t love the price tag–especially since we had just adopted Banks and money was tight. I had heard about PB look-alike curtains for a fraction of the price, but I was a little hesitant. Let’s be honest, a lot of times the more expensive item is actually better quality (you pay for what you get). But since I was on a budget and our bedding was my splurge, I ordered the look-alike curtains to try and….

I love them!!!! I’m sharing a few pictures of our room with the curtains and the blinds wide open (and a little boy who wanted to be with me the whole time I was taking pictures 🙂 Also I’ve already found the piece of art the I want to go above the chest of drawers, but that purchase will be later)

This one shows how much light they block with the blinds open wide behind them.

Like I said, I was so surprised by how great the quality of these curtains are! So, if you’re looking to redo a room or need new curtains, I highly recommend these Pottery Barn Look-Alike Curtains!

Friday Favorites!

Happy Friday! Today I’m sharing a round up of FAVORITES from the past two weeks!

one

Merritt turned two weeks old this past Wednesday! It’s like I had forgotten newborns change so much in those first few weeks when I was just in the newborn stage last year, too :).

two

The boys are absolutely IN LOVE with Merritt! I knew Harrison would be great with her because he was so good with Banks last year when he was born, but Banks’s attitude toward Merritt has been the biggest surprise–he is so good with her! He points to her and calls her “Baby” and wants to hug her and give her her paci–he’s just been so good with her. The hardest part has been the fact that I can’t pick Banks up right now 🙁

three

One new baby item that I’m obsessed with is this baby lounger we use for Merritt. She has napped so great in it because I feel like she thinks she’s still being held. I wish I had one of these for the boys, too!

four

Based on this picture, can you guess who in our household likes to cover up with a blanket when said person is reading?! LOL. Banks sat in his chair, pulled that blanket up over him, and grabbed his book to read. Speaking of reading, I’ve got two books I’m trying to finish and I hope to finish both today so I can share about them next week.

five

Harrison’s baseball games have all been rained out this week. He got ready Monday and he and Dustin went to the field for batting practice before the game was canceled. He’s excited to play and I’m excited to watch him! This is his first year playing, so I just want him to love it–so far he’s loved his practices and the one practice game he had!